UCSC Eliminates Admin Position

Vice Chancellor Felicia McGinty laid off with budget cutsIn yet another sign of the troubling financial times, UC Santa Cruz will be eliminating the position of vice chancellor of student affairs, effective Sept. 1.This means that Vice Chancellor Felicia McGinty will be laid off, saving the school about $200,000 a year.

“Chancellor Blumenthal and I sincerely appreciate the service that Vice Chancellor Felicia McGinty has provided the campus since 2007,” said Allison Galloway, campus provost and executive vice chancellor, in an email to the UCSC community sent on Aug. 4. “During multiple years of challenging budget cuts, Felicia contributed an abundance of energy and ideas to our senior administrative team—and we are very grateful for her many contributions.”The gap left behind by McGinty will be filled not by new employees, but by restructuring efforts. The duties previously belonging to the vice chancellor of student affairs will now be split between Galloway and Vice Chancellor of Business and Administrative Services Christina Valentino.“My office will work closely with the AVCs and Staff Human Resources to ensure a smooth transition for all affected units,” Galloway wrote.This news follows Galloway’s previous announcement in July that the enrollment management unit will be moved from the Division of Student Affairs to the Division of Undergraduate Education.In the same email, Galloway expressed her belief that the restructuring will benefit UCSC in multiple ways.“Now more than ever, Chancellor Blumenthal and I believe we must focus on providing excellent support to students,” she said. “This reorganization reflects that commitment.”